Winners of the Backsberg Audience Choice Awards were voted for by festival goers and were applauded for their compelling narratives on topics including South African politics, human rights and culture. Several films even demanded repeat screenings after their powerful impact on audiences.

CEO, Simon Back of Backsberg Estate Cellars says, “This year’s award-winners were truly well-deserved. In terms of the festival itself, Backsberg couldn’t be prouder of the association as Encounters provides a necessary platform for critical dialogue in our society.” Backsberg is thrilled to announce the winners as follows:

The joint winners of the 2018 Encounters Backsberg Audience Choice Award for a South African/African film are:

The Fun’s Not Over: The James Phillips Story – The rollicking yet intimate portrait of poetic rocker James Phillips by Michael Cross

Not in my Neighbourhood – Award-winning Cape Town filmmaker Kurt Orderson’s compelling exploration of the parallels of the current urban environments in three seemingly disparate cities: São Paulo, Cape Town and New York

The outright winner of the Backsberg Audience Choice Award for Best International Film is:

Life is Wonderful: Mandela’s Unsung Heroes – Former UK High Court Judge Nick Stadlen unearthed rare archival material to construct an intimate portrait of many of the lesser known participants at the Rivonia Treason Trial.

Huge congratulations to all winners and participants of the Encounters International Documentary Festival. Backsberg is truly honoured to be associated with a local film festival of this calibre and looks forward to supporting the important work of South African filmmakers in years to come.